Anyone that has ever been to a big box store may be familiar with the saying, pile ‘em high, sell ‘em low. This usually means that stores stack merchandise from the floor to the ceiling, sometimes in a very careless fashion. With heavy goods or bulk food packs stacked high, the window of opportunity for a personal injury to occur is very high.
Who Can File a Lawsuit Against CVS?
Shoppers aren’t the only individuals affected though. Store employees have just as much of a risk. The CDC, or Centers for Disease Control, found that contact with objects accounted for the most nonfatal injuries in retail for employees and shoppers. However, all those injuries were not specifically from falling objects. Big box stores are essentially a breeding ground for hazards which emphasizes the notion of exercising caution to prevent accidents.
For anyone who sustains an injury from a falling object at a big box store, the first course of action is to seek medical help right away. Once that has been taken care of, consulting with a personal injury attorney is a must. Usually, initial consultations are free, which allows you to shop around for the most affordable option.
Duty of Care Owed to Customers by CVS
The personal injury attorney will discuss what happened and will be able to determine whether the store is liable or not. In the event the store is accountable for your injuries, there are three ways you might be able to sue:
- Premises liability: store owners have a duty to uphold to the public and their employees that their premises always remain safe and free from danger. If they are ever made aware of a potential hazard or dangerous condition and fail to ensure the safety of their guests who are then injured they are liable.
- Negligence in regards to training or supervision: employees are to provide correct training to staff as well as supervise them when appropriate and necessary. Failure to do so can and will lead to improperly stacked products, personal injuries, and lawsuits.
- Vicarious liability: employees who have received proper training but are negligent in their work for instance they carelessly continue to stack products high, liability may still rest with the company.
There are many lawsuits that involve a combination of some or all the above, so an attorney with premises liability experience to advise you is your best course of action.
Injuries at Big Box Stores
Other common injuries associated with big box stores, aside from falling objects are:
- Slip and falls from worn or wet floors, dim lights, dangerous stairways, or malfunctioning elevators or escalators
- Head and body injuries from displays or signs
- Shopping cart injuries, if a cart tips over
- Overcrowding during big sales might tend to lead to falls and/or trampling
- Parking lots especially during the winter season due to snow and ice that may not have been cleared or even a poorly maintained lot
Sometimes an attorney will notice and point out that it isn’t just the store owner who is liable for customer injuries but also the management company, maintenance firm, or individual who is leasing the property. Personal injury lawyers are exceptional at navigating the complex structures of premises liabilities. They seek to get you the settlement you deserve.
Call Kwartler Manus Today
If you are a victim of an accident at a big box store and want to know whether or not you have a case, call an experienced Philadelphia premises liability attorney. Premises liability attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means they do not get paid unless they recover your losses in compensation. Most also offer free initial consultations. Attorneys fight for you and fair justice so it is smart to seek representation while you focus on treating injuries. Call the office of Kwartler Manus at 267-457-5570 to schedule a consultation.